America’s Work Force Union Podcast

Bob McGuckin (Insulators Local 17) / Willie Haywood Jr. (AFGE)

Willie Haywood Jr., National Veterans Affairs Council 262 Sixth District President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the success candidates they endorsed had during the midterm election. He also spoke about a grievance they filed that led to an agreement with the Veterans Administration to comply with privacy laws.   

 

Robert McGuckin, Training Coordinator for the Heat and Frost Insulators Local 17 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC), appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about why the apprentices at his Local are graduating at a 98 percent clip. He also discussed the JATC’s training facility, which is one of the largest mechanical insulator training centers in North America, and how it benefits the apprenticeship program.

Melissa Cropper (OFT) / Stephen Tavernia (Ironworkers Local 33)

Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, joined the AWF Union Podcast to discuss the outcome of midterm elections for the Ohio State Board of Education, as well as the outcomes of other political races around the state decided on the Nov. 8 General Election. 

 

Ironworkers Local 33 Business Agent, Apprenticeship Coordinator and Recording Secretary Stephen Tavernia appeared on the AWF Union Podcast during National Apprenticeship Week and explained his personal journey into the trades and why a registered apprenticeship program is a great fit for anyone looking for a rewarding career.

Ray Boyd (UA International Training Fund) / Marc Pendleton (IBEW Local 520)

Raymond Boyd, United Association International Training Fund (UAITF) Assistant Director of Education and Training, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast as part of National Apprenticeship Week and discussed how the UA’s apprenticeship programs use technology to virtually simulate realistic training experiences.

 

Marc Pendleton, Vice President and Organizer in charge of Membership Development for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520, appeared on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and talked about the Lone Star Program, which provides individuals who are considering an apprenticeship with hands-on experience to help decide if they want to become an apprentice.

Mike Hazard (UA VIP) / Marty Helms (Helmets to Hardhats)

United Association Veterans in Piping (UA VIP) Program Administrator and Training Specialist Mike Hazard joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how the UA VIP program helps provide transitioning active-duty service members with the foundations to begin a career in the pipe trades.

 

Helmets to Hardhats Executive Director Marty Helms appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and explained how the Helmets to Hardhats program provides veterans with valuable career resources to jobs in the construction industry after they leave the service.

Josh Nassar (United Auto Workers) / Jason Smith (Indiana St BCTC)

United Auto Workers (UAW) Legislative Director Josh Nassar joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how UAW-endorsed candidates performed in this week’s mid-term election and why canvassing on the part of the UAW paid off. 

 

Jason Smith, President of the Indiana State Building and Construction Trades Council (ISBCTC), appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed growth opportunities caused by the state’s construction boom.  

Brian Courtien (IUPAT DC 51) / Andrew Spar (FEA)

Brian Courtien, Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 51, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the value of pre-apprenticeship programs. 

 

Florida Education Association (FEA) President Andrew Spar appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and explained why he believes a law allowing veterans to teach without a degree is a shortsighted, ineffective attempt to fix the state’s widespread teacher shortage.

Frank Mathews (CWA District 4) / Lowell Glodowski (BAC Local 1)

Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 4 Administrative Director Frank Mathews joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed an expansion of apprenticeship programs in California funded by the Biden Administration’s Talent Pipeline Challenge. He also talked about a strike by CWA members at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the nation’s first newspaper strike in decades.   

 

Lowell Glodowski, President and Business Manager of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 Washington and Alaska, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about the Level Up Campaign, an initiative launched in 2018 to get more younger people, minorities and women into the union.

Alise Martiny (Greater Kansas City BCTC) / Joyce Goldstein (Labor Lawyer)

Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council Business Manager and Financial Secretary Alise Martiny joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the challenges women face on construction sites and the lucrative financial opportunities for women who enter the building trades.

 

Joyce Goldstein, a labor and employee benefits lawyer at Joyce Goldstein & Associates, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed an Ohio Supreme Court decision that ruled unions can picket outside the homes and private workplaces of public officials.

Dorsey Hager (Columbus/Central Ohio BCTC) / Fred Redmond (AFL-CIO) / Senator Sherrod Brown

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act and the jobs it will bring to Ohio. He also spoke about the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which he sponsored. 

 

Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager made his monthly appearance on the AWF Union Podcast and spke about the Honda and LG electric vehicle battery plant that will be built in Fayette County. He also provided an update on the Intel project and discussed the need to grow preapprenticeship and apprenticeship programs in order to mee the demands of Central Ohio’s construction boom.

 

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond was a guest on the AWF Union Podcast and discussed the need to get out the labor vote for next week’s mid-term elections. He also talked about the efforts of the AFL-CIO to help members of the labor movement run for political office.

Gina Walsh (LMCT) / Mike Knisley (Ohio State BCTC)

Gina Walsh, Deputy Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management and Cooperative Trust (LMCT), joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the recent Tradeswomen Build Nations conference. She also talked about the need retain tradeswomen by making daycare more accessible and adding maternity leave benefits. 

 

Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council (OSBCTC) Secretary-Treasurer Mike Knisley appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about Ohio House Bill 235, the High-Hazard Training Certification Act, which, if passed, would increase public safety by raising training standards for construction workers who work in Ohio refineries. He also spoke about Central Ohio’s construction boom and what building trades leaders are doing to satisfy the demand for workers.